The International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI), the newest International Science Olympiad in the world, has announced that its third edition will be held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in 2026.

The main host for IOAI 2026 will be the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI). This graduate-level institution, dedicated to advancing artificial intelligence, is located in Abu Dhabi and offers specialized programs in areas such as machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing. It fosters innovation and prepares students to become leaders in the field of artificial intelligence.

IOAI was founded and first organized in Bulgaria in August 2024, achieving a record-breaking debut with 41 teams from 32 countries and territories across 6 continents.

The 2025 edition of IOAI is already set to take place in Beijing, China, expecting participation from over 60 countries. The event will be organized and hosted by Beijing Normal University, Beijing National Day School, China Soong Ling Foundation and ITCC.

IOAI’s mission is to inspire young people to engage in science, particularly artificial intelligence, providing a platform for the best students in the field to compete, exchange ideas, and build connections. IOAI also contributes to the global dialogue on the opportunities and ethical challenges of artificial intelligence.

Google is the global platinum sponsor of IOAI, and MBZUAI is the global gold sponsor.

You can learn more about IOAI on the Olympiad’s website: https://ioai-official.org.